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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 448, 21 January 1867, Page 3

THE WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS. The following items are from the Nelson Evening Mail of the 12th inst. At Hokitika, on the 7th, the river rose in an unusual manner, being fed by the mountain streams, which must have been swelled enormously by a deluge of rain on the high lands. Messrs Byrne and Co., of the Corinthian Hall, have cashhed some cheques on the Bank of New South Wales, forged by one Edmund, alias Richard Lamond, now in custody. Okarita is looking up again, a great many of her truant population having been induced by disappointment at Fox’s River to return to their old haunts. A hawker of jewellery named Michaelis Levy, is missed, and apprehensions are entertained for his safety. It is reported that Mr O’Loughlin is likely to receive the appoitment of District Judge for Westland. The Circuit Court at Hokitika will open on the 15th inst. Captain Wilson is lecturing on ElectroBiology, in aid of the funds of the Church of England. The schooner Glengarry has left for Haast River with a party of twenty miners on a prospecting tour. New ground has been opened up on the Kaneri River, eight miles from the township. The return of gold from the old Fourmiles from the township is said to be on the increase. In the Big Paddock three leads of gold aro traced and the average produce of the different claims is variously estimated at £6 to £lO per man per week.

At thr Pakihi sports some disturbances took place, and Mr Warden Jones got sundry blows and knocks in attempting to interfere between the disputants.

The following items are from the Westport Times, of the 9th January;— As we stated in onr last issue, Dr Hector has arrived in Westport, being now engaged in a geological survey of this part of the island.

We understand that he came direct from Collingwood, and has followed the coast line generally from that place. Respecting existing diggings it appears that no gold has ever boon got north of the Karamea till reaching the Patarau, where a fer miners at one time worked with some success. From Collingwood he thinks that auriferous rocks extend to the S.S.W., through the head of the Aorere and the Anatoki, in the direction of the tipper Karamea, and on to the Lyall, On the Golden Downs, up the Heaphy on the Slate and Rooky Rivers the Wanganui, the Wangapeka, and the Matiri, gold has already been got. From the Duller northward the goldbearing rocks are more or less completely cut off from the coast by ranges of nonauriferous mountains, composed of granite and sandstone, which are steep and almost inaccessable. The Karamea and Mokihinui Rivers break through these ranges by gorges, and here the vast difficulties that attend mining adventures begin. It is impossible to clamber along the sides of these places with heavy loads and the current is so terrific that canoes hare no chance of getting through under the most favorable circumstances.

Although unquestionably auriferous country is beyond, it is, for the above reason unusually difficult of access from thcwestward, and it is from mining parties being unable to penetrate the rivers high enough. Dr Hector considess that so tnanv unprofitable expeditions have been ocoa-

A* a possible access to this country, it may be mentioned that there is a nass from the Upper Mokihinui to the Matin’, and a pass is supposed to exist between the Upper Mokiioaui sad the Dysll.

i Ou the present beach of the Karamea tnere af» but few maic-atit/ns of its being vsrry payable, and, in fact, all the beach diggings in that country hold only gold that has been first washed down through the gorges above mentioned and then cast up by the sea. If there is gold on the Karame'a Flat he considers it will be got behind the bis laeroonu

.Me speaks highly of the coal resources of Mount Euchfort Mokihirmi and the Nakawa, but hia examination of this district has been a very cursory one so far, though when eoTnolfited. it cannot fail to be productivejjof the best results, and to afford reliable information of the highest value to the miners on the coast.